Bach Seat

Video calls won’t be going away any time soon. Despite companies eyeing “return to the office” initiatives remote work is here to stay. The new normal distributed workforce will continue to use video conferencing to support workplace collaboration. It is estimated that by 2025, 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely. That represents an 87% percent increase from pre-COVID-19 levels. U.S, businesses have more than 11 million video meetings a day Here is a list of things you can do to improve your effectiveness during your next video call.

Before the video call

1. Dress Appropriately – You want to appear professional. Wear attire that’s appropriate for the type of meeting. This doesn’t mean you need to wear a suit. Assess the situation and dress to match it.

2. Be Prepared – Before attending an online meeting, prepare yourself mentally. This helps you take part more effectively. This also includes preparing materials you may need. This is even more important if you are presenting or need to go through some documents with the team.

Join the video conference

3. Arrive Early – Arriving early helps you get settled in and ready to begin. You’ll have time for small talk, which can help you connect with others. Arriving early also provides additional time to review any documents or presentations prior to beginning the session.

4. Frame Yourself – Position the camera to be straight in front of you or slightly higher. Don’t have the camera off to the side or below you. Sit close enough so that you’re in the middle of the frame. Fill at least one-third of the screen. If you sit too far away, you’ll appear small on the camera.

5. Clean Your Background – Look at what’s behind you and what others will see when you’re on camera. Don’t show a room full of dirty laundry or stacks of clutter. Use the virtual backgrounds available in Zoom and Microsoft Teams.  And make sure others in your home know that you’ll be on video to avoid any potentially embarrassing situations.

6. Light Up – When you’re using a webcam, avoid direct sunlight because this can be too harsh. Don’t sit with a bright light behind you because it will be hard for others to see your face. Also avoid bright or harsh overhead lights. They wash out skin tones. Instead, choose soft lighting that lets others easily see your facial expressions.

During the video call

7. Turn the Camera On – Many feel strongly video conference participants should leave their camera on during meetings. When you turn your camera off it is considered a sign of disrespect to everyone else in the meeting.

8. Sit Straight – Your posture should reflect confidence and strength. Do not hunch over your laptop. Keep your shoulders back and head upright. You’ll definitely look better on video calls if you sit up straight. Sitting up straight will help you be more energized while on the video call. Slouching can make you look unmotivated and lazy.

9. Look at the Camera – Eye contact conveys interest and engagement. When speaking, look at your camera so that it gives the impression of making eye contact with those you’re speaking to.

Use common courtesy in the call

10. Pay Attention – Remain focused throughout the entire meeting. That means avoid multitasking. Multitasking takes your focus away from what’s happening in the meeting. The best way to avoid multitasking is to mute your phone. Incoming calls, texts, emails, and social media notifications disturb you as well as other stakeholders.

11. Speak Clearly – Speaking loudly may seem appropriate when communicating face-to-face, but it doesn’t work well over distance. Try using clear language and short sentences.

11. Don’t Interrupt – It’s rude. Interrupting makes it difficult for speakers to finish sharing their thoughts. Instead, wait until they finish speaking before responding.

12. Ask Relevant Questions –  It shows that you’re engaged and paying attention. Even if you have nothing else to say in a meeting, asking a question gives you the chance to take part and get noticed.

13. Don’t Gossip – Be respectful of others. Even if you’re having a more casual meeting, spreading gossip makes you look unprofessional and will decrease others’ trust in you.

14. Stay Positive – Being negative does nothing to help anyone’s mood. Instead, focus on solutions rather than problems.

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Using these tips can help you appear more confident and elevate your presence in virtual meetings. This can help you get noticed, and others will take you more seriously at work. And they’ll help you build relationships that can help your career.

Stay safe out there!

Related article

• How to Improve Your Posture After a Year of Working From Home (Newsweek)

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.